Monday, February 23, 2015

Recently Orelia and most of her gal pals have become obsessed with dress up, and in particular dressing up like princesses.

It's pretty clear that little girls just have this universal desire to dress up in frilly dresses and prance around in fancy shoes. She certainly hasn't seen me in dresses and heels.

Princesses get a pretty bad rap these days. Mothers see it as a goal that their little girls have no interest in tiaras and are instead wearing fire hats and pretending to be train conductors.

Why is a little girl celebrated for wearing a construction hat or building a train? I know a princess isn't a viable occupation, but it's not as if her career goals are set by how she dresses up when she's a toddler.

Her favorite movie is Cinderella, but I certainly have never heard her say "I want to be rescued by a prince." Actually she says "I want Cinderella to come to my house. No Prince."

My little girly girl has been this way since her personality started showing itself. But being a girly girl isn't a bad thing. There's plenty of room for purple and sequins.

While she may love high heels, she also is a very strong-willed, determined, and bossy little toddler. We certainly have no worries that her princess interests will get in the way of her being a C.E.O. if she so chooses.

Frankly, most days I wish she was less of a little dictator and more submissive, but she is who she is.

Our girl may wear "princess" dresses, but she's more like a queen.

She rules the roost with a sequined fist, and we love her just as she is.

Friday, February 20, 2015

As I pulled out my nursing cover to nurse Bennett in the cafe while Orelia pranced away at ballet class, my friends and I had a good laugh over how my nursing cover was made from organic cotton. Clearly this was a nursing cover for my first child because I wanted only organic cotton to touch her skin. Cue the peels of laughter.

Yes, it would be wonderful if my children only wore organic cotton and only ate organic food and all of that food was actually fruits and vegetables. We would sing songs by the fire every night and hold hands.

I think it's only natural to have idealized visions with your first child where you think you can control everything and you actually think you want to control everything.

But with the second it's all more practical. Sure, Bennett has a few wooden toys, but only the ones that I know he will like. If there is a beeping, flashing toy that will keep him calm, then, trust me, I reach for that one first. The thought that I would deny my baby and myself the easy way out is laughable. And once your first child has logged many hours of screen time, that Baby Einstein singing toy does not seem so bad for your baby.

Occasionally the second child will put on a cute outfit, but it sure better be easy to get on and off. Zippered pajamas only for the second child. Snaps are for suckers. And if he spits up on his clothes he will only get changed if he is absolutely soaked. Or if his sister is asleep.

It's not that you love your second child less. You are just more relaxed about everything because likely by the time your second rolls around you've already relaxed your rules with the first.

Orelia is wearing polyester Cinderella gowns seven days a week because that's what she wants and that's what makes her happy. She goes to germy places, and I don't even flinch. She eats ice cream and Oreos and funnel cakes - and I've never seen an organic funnel cake. That is a lovely toddler life, if you ask me.

Bennett gets to be covered by my certified organic nursing cover. He can look up at me and smiles his gummy smile knowing that his days or Oreos are just around the corner.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Her exuberance shines through and she's thoroughly enjoying a fun fall day.

But I mostly laughed at what made me immediately know that these are old photos. It wasn't the fall foliage or that she's grown or changed her hair.

I knew these photos must be old because she's wearing such warm clothes. A sweater! And jeans (admittedly not fitting quite right).

While we have gotten out of the bathing suit phase, we have somehow gotten stuck in a wear-as-little-as-possible phase. Tank tops and a diaper would be the preferred attire every day. Inside of the house and outside. The other day we had a big disagreement about whether it was okay to wear a tank top and only bloomers to preschool. Somehow we were able to recover and put on a sundress with the bloomers, and that was moderately appropriate. Thank God we live in California.

I guess she's just thrilled she can fight these battles now that she can take off her own clothes and jackets. Toddlers love choosing!